Posted on 08/27/2008 11:18:46 AM PDT by Schnucki
Bruce Springsteen will not be performing at Barack Obama's closing speech, his campaign said, as the Democratic candidate seeks to avoid association with celebrities.
In a break with recent tradition, the Democratic National Convention will be free of major performing artists after Republicans have successfully turned Mr Obama's surging popularity against him.
The 2004 convention featured cameos from Patti LaBelle, Willie Nelson, the Black Eyed Peas and Carole King, while in 2000 Stevie Wonder and Luther Vandross played in the main convention hall.
Earlier in the week Obama aides said Springsteen was to perform a short acoustic set at the 76,000-seater Invesco Field stadium where the Illinois senator will formally accept the party's presidential nomination on Thursday night. Other reports said Jon Bon Jovi had also been asked to sing.
But sources within the campaign said that the New Jersey-born rocker, who is a strong Obama backer, would not be singing, and denied that there had ever been any plans.
"Bruce Springsteen will not be performing at the convention. There have been some inaccurate reports out there on this; just wanted to set the record straight," a spokesman said.
In a further sign of confusion within the Obama ranks about the presentation of his big night, it emerged that he will deliver his speech from an elaborate columned stage resembling a miniature Greek temple, a setting that could easily lead to charges of an over-inflated ego.
The decision to exclude pop singers indicates how Republican rival Senator John McCain's effort to turn Mr Obama's fame into a weakness has rattled the Democrat's campaign. In the wake of Mr Obama's speech before 200,000 in Berlin, Mr McCain released an advert likening Obama to gossip-page perennials Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.
Hollywood stars including Ben Affleck, Josh Brolin, Annette Bening and Spike
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
LOL!
He threw the Boss under the bus?
“...the Democratic candidate seeks to avoid association with celebrities.”
Clearly, J. Sidney has B. Hussein “on the run”.
Let’s keep it that way.
Maybe “Born in the USA” isn’t apropos after all.
ROFL
Oh, man, this just keeps getting better and better. They really ARE that desperate now aren’t they? Since when does Obama play DOWN his associations with celebrities? I guess McCain’s ads are hitting them WAY harder than they’d care to admit!
ROFL — nice one... :-)
I would bet it has more to do with him performing at Harley Fest in Milwaukee Saturday than anything. Also would guess somebody advised staying out of a mess like that...he’s going to be playing for McCain supporters.
“He threw the Boss under the bus?”
LOL!
I bet they still play a song though.
That's not going to go over well in places like W Va or Pa. Guess they'll just bitterly cling to their music, guns and religion.
Guess the stage isn’t big enough for “The Boss and “The One”
May I suggest the “East Coast Avengers.” They’re certainly not celebrities and much more in tune to the Obama message.
The Boss will meet Ludacris under the bus.
President Osama dropped kicked Springsteen into Pluto’s orbit because President Osama is The Boss, nuff said.
The Boss and Ludacris are cutting a new album, “Boys In The band, Under The Bus.”
Obamanation only wants to associate with celeb’s money. You know, “those rich white folks.” That’s gotta leave teeth marks in Springsteen’s butt. LOL!
The Dems now are running scared of another McCain ad hitting them hard.
The Dems now are running scared of another McCain ad hitting them hard.
McCain Campaign's best political jujitsu move.
Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner! LOL Very clever!! :o)
"I have never texted or emailed Senator Obama," Mr Clooney said recently. "And I'll offer a million dollars to anyone who could prove otherwise."
This sounds more like Clinton-speak than any distancing ... note the "regular" specification as to contact and the offer of a million dollars to prove that HE hasn't texted or emailed Obama. Doesn't mean you haven't actually received them, George.
comment of the day!
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